Giroux apologizes for misguided attempt at humor'

Flyers captain Claude Giroux issued a statement Thursday apologizing for his rather embarrassing incident in an Ottawa bar Tuesday, in which he played a little too fast and loose with a lawman. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

It took all afternoon to come up with something, but the Flyers issued a joint “statement” with Claude Giroux on Thursday, with the Flyers captain apologizing for his illegal use of hands at a club in Ottawa on Tuesday night.

Apparently caught up a little too much in expressing his independent nature on “Canada Day,” Giroux not once, but twice was alleged to have goosed a cop at a bar called “The Great Canadian Cabin.”

Giroux was cited for “grabbing the buttocks of a male police officer” after what he took as an attempt at humor didn’t strike a local mountie as funny.

“I regret my actions on Canada Day and sincerely apologize to my fans, teammates and the Philadelphia Flyers organization for my misguided attempt at humor,” Giroux’s statement read. “Following an investigation, law enforcement determined that charges are not warranted. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and apologize to the Ottawa Police Department and specifically the individual officer. I will be making no further public comment on this matter.”

According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, while no charges were filed, Giroux was asked to make a $20,000 charitable contribution before he was released Wednesday morning. Don’t know if that was to the Ottawa policemen’s ball or what.

Either way, the Flyers’ $8.25 million man likely feels fortunate that his little joke that got out of hand, so to speak, didn’t cost him anything important.

Like his standing as the Flyers’ team captain.

“We’ve been in contact with Claude and the Ottawa Police Service and have been informed that no charges will be filed,” Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said in a statement. “Moving forward, we will deal with this incident internally and we will no longer publicly discuss this matter.”

That would be fine with Giroux.

“I will not be distracted from my ongoing preparation for the upcoming season,” he stated. “I remain 100% committed and focused on working with my team to return the Stanley Cup to Philadelphia.”